Recent decision to revoke authorisation of imports under the Systems Approach described as “regrettable”
Agriculture leaders in Chile have called for calm following a ruling by a US federal court that revokes the authorisation of imports of Chilean grapes under the Systems Approach.
The ruling does not bring about an immediate halt to exports, as further procedural steps and potential appeals are still pending.
Unions and research centres in the Aconcagua Valley in Chile’s Valparaiso region urged growers to place their trust in the robust technical and scientific basis underpinning the country’s phytosanitary system.
They said the ruling by the Federal Court of the District of Columbia underscores the importance of maintaining active and coordinated technical diplomacy with US authorities. They noted that Chile has been a pioneer in applying integrated approaches to mitigate phytosanitary risks, and that the Systems Approach represents a sustainable model aligned with global goals to reduce chemical use and the agricultural carbon footprint.
Renato Ripa, an agronomist and PhD in entomology from the University of London, called the resolution “regrettable”. He emphasized that the Systems Approach results from collaborative efforts between authorities of both nations to mitigate the quarantine risk linked to Lobesia botrana and the red vine spider mite.
“Control methods for both pests have been developed to achieve eradication levels in export production, including highly accurate monitoring techniques that confirm the absence of these pests in exported fruit. All these measures are tied to strict protocols that must be followed during production and export,” he told Los Andes Online.
Pilar Larral, founding partner of the Biocea Centre for Applied Entomology, highlighted the extensive experience Chile has gained in phytosanitary control, noting that “the Systems Approach has demonstrated its effectiveness, and protocols like the citrus protocol have been successfully implemented for years”.
She said the US decision “ignores a long-standing technical and scientific process”.
Marcela Carrillo, the manager of Corfo’s Transforma Frutícola Sustentable de Valparaíso (PerfrutS) programme, emphasized the importance of staying united and working together amid the evolving situation.
